Golf players from New Caledonia and American Samoa are using the Invest Samoa Golf Open as a test run for the Pacific Games.

New Caledonia-based golfer, Morgan Dufour, said the tournament is a good practice allowing the opportunity to get used to the fairways and greens of the Fagalii Golf Course where the tournament will be played.

“We have been preparing for six months now but we knew the team group since two months now. 

“This is not my first time in Samoa. I played during the 2007 Pacific Games and I’m coming back for a little bit of revenge here because I wasn’t so good in 2007.

“It is our hope to play well for the Pacific Games. Golf is quite strong in New Caledonia but the Samoan team will be at an advantage because it’s their home course but we will try and do our best," he said. 

Mr. Dufour said they have four golf courses back home and the grounds are similar to the ones in Samoa, so it is just a matter of adjusting to the course. 

“The grounds are a bit the same as here – good course, good design – the grass here is a bit rough so we have to adjust a bit.

“When I am not golfing I used to be a sales manager Tina Golf Club, and recently I just started my own business I am a wholesaler for golf equipment in New Caledonia. I wanted to come to Samoa for a week away from home. 

“Our team are all aiming for gold during the Pacific Games,” he added.

A female Cook Islands golfer who is representing American Samoa in the Pacific Games, Moeroa Hardman, said the tournament provides her with the chance to test the golf course in Samoa.

“I don’t have any competition back home but I feel like the men are my competition.

“I feel confident going into the Pacific Games, which is why this competition will assist in preparation for the Games.

“During the tournament I am competing like I’m in the Games,” she said.

She started playing golf when she was 25 years old in American Samoa where she met her husband.

“I won the 2017 Club Champ for Indian Valley that pushed me to keep doing that.”